8-7 ABN Now by Arkansas Baptist News

Volume 113 Number 16

August 7, 2014

“Telling the story of Arkansas Baptists since 1901” Dear Arkansas Baptist, The Arkansas Baptist News (ABN) is delighted to offer this special Cooperative Program issue (see pages 9-16) free to all Arkansas Baptist churches – in special cooperation with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. To our faithful subscribers, we want to say, “Thank you!” To our nonsubscribing churches, we prayerfully ask you to consider signing up for a Group Plan or Every Resident Family Plan. The ABN is grateful for your church’s gifts given through the Cooperative Program, which provides 45 percent of our budget for operation. (The other portion of our budget comes from the support of subscribers and advertisers.) To ensure the continuance of a unique voice for Arkansas Baptists for generations to come, we need your support! The ABN is changing with changing times – in addition to our improved print edition, the ABN offers a digital edition and extensive website at www.arkansasbaptist. org featuring additional Arkansas Baptist-centric news, information and bonus features. Find us on Facebook and Twitter as ArkBaptNews. These are exciting days as we work together to fulfill Christ’s charge to take the gospel across Arkansas and to all the earth! Become a subscriber today so you don’t miss another issue of the ABN! For more information about how your church can read about how God is using Arkansas Baptists to expand His kingdom, call 501-376-4791, ext. 5153, or 800-838-2272, ext. 5153, or visit arkansasbaptist.org/subscribe. Serving Together,

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Wrangler camps

CP reaches Ark., world

Camps reach out to cowboy population

Russ Harrington retires after Special section details 40 years at Baptist Health CP’s reach

page 8 Volume 113, Number 16

pages 9-16 page 2

Telling the story of Arkansas Baptists since 1901

August 7, 2014

Floyd tours US border SAN ANTONIO (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders recognized something when they toured federal government facilities for children who have fled to the United States without their parents – hope. Arkansas Pastor Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), and Russell D. Moore, the SBC’s lead ethicist, joined others in tours July 22 of two centers established to address

See BORDER page 7

Jim Gilliam (left) pastors the Methodist congregation associated with Antioch Community Church located in the small community of Antioch in Beebe, and Scott Johnson pastors the Southern Baptist congregation associated with the church. The churches meet together each Sunday.

Hobby Lobby and religious freedom The latest edition of the Arkansas Baptist New (ABN) Podcast features Richard Piles, pastor of First Baptist Church, Camden, and chairman of the board of trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, discussing the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Hobby Lobby and other matters concerning religious freedom. To listen visit: arkansasbaptist.org/podcast

Baptists, Methodists drive Antioch mission Caleb Yarbrough Arkansas Baptist News BEEBE – The relationship that most Southern Baptists have with other protestant Christian denominations is much like the relationship most Americans have with Canada and Mexico. While the United States share borders with Canada and Mexico, its citizens often know very little about their neighbors to the north and south. For more than 100 years, however, Antioch Community Church, Beebe, has blurred de-

nominational borders. The name “Antioch Community Church” is both deceptive and descriptive because Antioch is really two churches, one Southern Baptist and one United Methodist, which in many ways, function together as one body. Today the church is home to both a Methodist congregation and a Baptist congregation. The two congregations, each autonomous, share ownership of the church’s facilities, meet together on Sunday mornings and partner together in many aspects of their ministry. While each congregation has sep-

arate membership and holds to separate denominational convictions, the two bodies have become incredibly close cousins over the years and could not imagine their church lives any other way. While the church records are sparse due to tornadoes and fires that destroyed its buildings over the years, a church member named Helen Harrison compiled a brief history of Antioch Community Church in 1967. According to Harrison, trustees from Searcy Presbyterian Church

See ANTIOCH page 3

MISSIONS

Friends form bond through World Changers Jessica Vanderpool Arkansas Baptist News THE NAME “World Changers” probably brings to mind a bunch of teenagers painting and hammering. After all, World Changers – an initiative of LifeWay Christian Resources – is known for its construction projects. But for Hunter Douglas and his friends, men who volunteer together each year through World Changers, the experience is not as much about investing in houses as

it is about investare Terry David ing in the lives of “Turk” Cunningthe teenage parham, member of ticipants. Newark Southern Douglas, a Baptist Church, member of Life Newark; Ron McLine Baptist Master, member Church, Little of Brush Creek Rock, said he Baptist Church, has volunteered From left: Ron McMaster, Clifford Casey, Terry Springdale; Clifthrough World David “Turk” Cunningham and James “Jimmy” ford Casey, also a Changers with Red have been volunteering together through member of Brush the same group World Changers for many years. Creek Baptist of men for about 20 years. Church, and James “Jimmy” Red, Douglas’ cohorts in missions member of First Baptist Church,

Horn Lake, Miss. Douglas explained that some combination of the five men had worked together at various Baptist missions events throughout the years. But he said it was when the West Memphis World Changers project was started in the 1990s that they really began to pull together as a group. Still, it was a gradual process. “We did not consciously get together as a team suddenly,”

See BOND page 4

Top Stories

American Renewal visits NWA Aug. 25-26 ROGERS – Educating and inspiring America’s pastors and laypeople to stand up for their faith and values is the focus of the two-day Arkansas Renewal Project, a local event hosted by American Renewal Project, to be held Aug. 25-26 at the Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas in Rogers. Among the personalities featured are Mike Huckabee, former pastor and Arkansas governor, and Dennis Prager, radio host. Bob McEwen, former Ohio congressman; Laurence White, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas; David Barton, conservative activist; Ken Graves, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Bangor, Maine; Mat Staver, dean of the Liberty University School of Law; Jason Taylor, pastor of Bar None Cowboy Church in Tatum, Texas, and Don Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association, are also scheduled to appear at the event. According to its founder, David Lane, American Renewal Project – of which the Arkansas Renewal Project is part – “is the mobilization of pastors and pews to restore America to our Judeo-Christian heritage and re-establish a Christian culture.” The Aug. 25-26 event is the the

latest event hosted by the American Renewal Project in Arkansas. A previous event was held in December in Little Rock. Lane said the goal of the event is to provide pastors and their spouses a time of relaxation, as well as instruction on how to help their churches engage American culture for Christ and get their members registered to vote, said organizers. “There is an estimated 65 to 80 million evangelical Christians that polling shows read their Bible and go to church on Sunday. Of the 65 to 80 million, half of those are not registered to vote and half of those don’t vote,” said Lane. “Our goal is to get the 65 to 80 million evangelical Christians in America registered and voting as a way to turn the country back to Him. Somebody’s values are going to reign supreme – our values or somebody else’s values. If we don’t show up, then the other side that is showing up are going to impose their values.” The American Renewal Project invites all Arkansas pastors and their spouses to attend the event. The organization is providing hotel accommodations and meals for pastors and spouses free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

“It is completely complimentary for pastors and spouses,” said Gary Miller, former Southern Baptist pastor and director of American Renewal Project. Miller said oftentimes bi-vocational pastors and pastors of small churches are forgotten and don’t have budgets that allow them to attend conferences and events. “This is a way we can bless them,” said Miller. For more information, visit arkansasbaptist.org/arpinfo.

BOND

the devil had to watch out.” “These five godly men were ready to change the world for Christ,” she said. “They not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. It doesn’t stop after World Changers. All during the year, the men are keeping in touch.” But their World Changers ministry is not without its struggles. “When we meet each time, we know that obstacles will appear in our path,” Douglas said. “When the crooked ways of this world obstruct our work, by virtue of the power given us, we aim to bullwhip the devil out of it, make the path straight and move on. World Changers is the best-organized ministry of this kind that Baptists have. Our purpose is clear and our direction is sure. We are all getting too old to take the heat and the strain, but we are not through. I am 75. We all know that we will keep going until we drop. We are still useful and needed and still successful.” McMaster said that originally the aspect of World Changers that he enjoyed was working with fellow Christians to serve the Lord by serving homeowners. But he soon realized how much he enjoyed teaching the teenagers about various aspects of home repair. He also came to realize the importance of investing in participants spiritually. “So, over the many projects, there have been many blessings of seeing ‘the harvest’ when presenting the gospel to homeowners and neighbors, but none as sweet as seeing our own teenager participants come to Jesus,” he said. Red feels a particular calling to

teach youth to share the gospel; and he requests to be placed in high-traffic areas so that, along with working on the houses, he can witness to people and train the students to do the same. “I don’t go to work on a house,” he explained. “I can work on a house right here at home. … I want to go and teach them young ’uns how to share the gospel because … (there are) millions of people walking the streets every day that don’t know Jesus and ... nobody (will) say something to them.” “All of us work in World Changers because we feel called to it, because we have been given the gifts to do it, because we love it and because we see this as a unique and important opportunity to help train the next generation in the service of Jesus Christ,” Douglas said. “Through these kids, we are worldchangers ourselves – in a powerful and effective way.” He emphasized that their focus is not on the houses they are repairing. “Our focus is on the youth,” he said. “It is our plan to give them a life-changing experience, worthy before God. World Changers furnishes the labor. The city furnishes the materials. We change the world through our living witness. “We are teaching these kids that holy hands might be holding up a hammer or a paintbrush,” Douglas said. “They, themselves, are a living witness of remarkable power. The witness this projects is beyond my power of explanation – nor can I imagine just how far it goes.” Contact Jessica Vanderpool at jessica@arkansasbaptist.org.

continued from page one

said Douglas. “We found ourselves volunteering for the same jobs and gradually began to consciously go the same road.” Now, the friends try to volunteer together at two World Changers projects every year. “We donated our vacations to World Changers and tried to go to two projects together each year, one with me as construction coordinator – a contract leadership position – and one with me volunteering to serve alongside them as adult volunteers,” Douglas said, explaining the others are adult volunteers every time. Of course, Douglas is quick to point out that there are numerous other volunteers who work on each project as well. But the five friends said they have been blessed to take part in their World Changers experiences together through the years. Douglas noted their common purpose, motivation and application of faith, as well as the quality of relationships. “It is a privilege to work with Turk, Jimmy, Hunter and Ron,” said Casey. “They will go further and do more than asked. There is much laughter and great joy to work with these men.” Cunningham added that working with his friends renews his spirit. “I can see and hear the Lord in them,” he said. Cunningham’s wife, Renee, added that “when (the men) start(ed) working together, …

Tucker to be named MABTS ‘Alumnus of Year’ CORDOVA, Tenn. – Arkansas Baptist State Convention Executive Director J.D. “Sonny” Tucker will be honored as “Alumnus of the Year” at the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni and Friends Founders’ Days Banquet August 18. The event will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Betty Howard Special Events Room at the seminary, which is located at 2095 Appling Road in Cordova, Tenn. Reservations may be made by visiting www.mabts.edu.

August 7, 2014

Digest Stories of interest to Arkansas Baptists

Slaughter of Nigerian Christians rises sharply NIGERIA (BP) – Boko Haram extremists and others have killed nearly as many Nigerian Christians in the first seven months of this year as were killed in all of 2013, the advocacy group Jubilee Campaign reported July 29. About 1,505 Nigerian Christians have been killed for their faith to date this year, compared to 1,783 Nigerian Christians killed in all of last year, based on Jubilee’s tally of deaths on its blog FactsNigeriaViolence.org, a compilation of reports from various news sources. The 2014 total to date is nearly 85 percent of those killed in all of last year. In attacks targeting religious communities, Boko Haram and others also killed Muslims, government officials and other civilians in Northern Nigeria, for a total of 4,239 deaths to date this year, compared to 3,124 deaths in all of 2013, Jubilee reported.

Black Church Week held at Ridgecrest July 21-25 RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP) – Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs enriched worship, study and fellowship among those gathered at Black Church Leadership and Family Conference, an annual week of spiritual enrichment for the nearly 4,000 African-American churches in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. Activities July 21–25 included 6:15 a.m. praise and worship, 60 morning classes offered in two concurrent segments, morning coed Bible study, separate afternoon Bible studies for men and women, fellowship meals, evening worship and state-specific fellowships.

Keith Collier elected as TEXAN’s new editor GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) – The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s (SBTC) Executive Board has elected Keith Collier as communications associate and editor of the SBTC’s Southern Baptist TEXAN newsjournal. Collier has ser ved Collier since 2007 as director of news and information at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), working in the communications office and serving as editor of multiple SWBTS publications.

For more ABN Digest, go to www.arkansasbaptist.org/abn-digest

Opinion Lest we forget: CP reaches a lost world

www.arkansasbaptist.org

he cooperative work of Southcampaigns and frequent emergency ern Baptists has defined and appeals which greatly hampered the shaped their mission into perhaps expanding Southern Baptist minthe greatest evangelical denominaistry opportunities. It got so bad at tion the world has ever known. times that some SBC entities were But with great success, comes forced to take out loans to cover great responsibility. The focus of operating costs until pledges or spethe founders of cial offerings were the Southern received. Baptist ConvenTo help this ressing tion (SBC) – that situation and to of carrying out better organize the n the Great Comdenomination’s mission (Matt. Tim Yarbrough resources, SBC 28:19-20) – conleaders proposed Phil. 3:14 tinues to this the 75 Million day despite the Campaign in 1919, growth and diversity of the denomia five-year pledge campaign that, nation through the years. for the first time in the denominaLest we forget what the Cooperation’s history, included everything tive Program is all about, let’s revis– the missions and ministries of it our history for a moment. (Note all the state conventions, as well as the next few paragraphs are a sumthat of the SBC. mary of the excellent CP resources Though the campaign fell short found at sbc.net/cp.) of its goals, a partnership of misAs the SBC grew and each entity sions support was conceived out within the denomination sought to of the effort: The Cooperative fulfill its assignments, special offerProgram. “Since its launch in 1925, ing appeals would be made to the the effectiveness of the Cooperachurches. This “societal” approach tive Program has been dependent (or method) to funding missions upon individuals, churches, state and ministry resulted in severe conventions, and SBC entities financial deficits, competition cooperating, working toward a comamong entities, overlapping pledge mon goal of sharing the gospel with

Cartoon by Gary Thomas

every person on the planet,” states an article at SBC.net. “Cooperation” is of course the key component of the Cooperative Program, which in its simplest terms is dependent on the gifts of every Southern Baptist member – given through his or her church – to work. Each church determines how much of its undesignated gifts to give through the Cooperative Program to be used to reach people in their state and world. This amount is then forwarded to

‘C.S. Lewis: A Life

By Alister McGrath, Tyndale House, 2013

n “C.S. Lewis: A Life,” Alister McGrath, professor of theology, ministry and education at King’s College in London and head of the Center for Theology, Religion and Culture, marks the 50th anniversary of Lewis’ death by shedding new light on the late Christian thinker’s life and lasting impact. One would be hardpressed to name a figure that has shaped modern Christian thought more than the late English scholar and professor C.S. Lewis. His path from atheist to Christian apologist has been well-documented, and his classic works, including “The Chronicles of Narnia” series and “Mere Christianity,” have allegorically and straightforwardly argued for the legitimacy of the gospel.

Volume 113, Number 16 USPS08021 Member of the Association of State Baptist Publications and Arkansas Press Association

Tim Yarbrough, editor Jessica Vanderpool, assistant editor Caleb Yarbrough, staff writer Jeanie Weber, administrative assistant Becky Hardwick, business manager Steven McPherson, advertising director Tim Hampton, advertising representative

In the book’s prelude, McGrath acknowledges that numerous biographies of Lewis already exist. He defends himself as Lewis’ biographer by submitting that he differs from many of Lewis’ previous biographers in

that he never knew Lewis personally. McGrath writes that his lack of personal knowledge or relations with Lewis combined with the fact that he, himself, hails from the same region of the world, attended the same institution of higher education, is a career academic and shares

the experience of converting to Christianity from atheism following deep academic study allowed him to study Lewis’ life and work exclusively through the professor’s written works while utilizing a keen understanding of their cultural and spiritual context. In preparation for writing “A Life,” McGrath read Lewis’ entire catalog, published and unpublished, in chronological order. He submits that this intense study, combined with his impersonal, yet relatable, relationship with Lewis, gives him new and unique insight and understanding regarding the writer’s life. See LEWIS page 6

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Book Review Caleb Yarbrough Arkansas Baptist News

each state convention, such as the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. At the annual meeting of each state convention, messengers decide what percentage of the funds given by congregations across the state stays in the state to support local missions and ministries and what percentage is forwarded to the SBC for North American and international missions and ministries. Messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting each year then decide how the gifts will be divided among SBC entities charged with various assignments, such as sending and supporting missionaries, training pastors and other ministry leaders, providing relief for retired ministers and widows and addressing social, moral and ethical concerns relating to the Southern Baptist faith and families. What’s the result of all this cooperation? More people around the world get the opportunity to hear the gospel and receive Christ through the efforts of cooperating SBC churches. Literally, every church – regardless of its size – has a worldwide kingdom impact through participation in the Cooperative Program. What a wonderful plan! And to think it all starts with the faithfulness of each individual member of a Southern Baptist church! To God be the glory for the great things He has done! “Since you excel in so many ways … I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving” (2 Cor. 8:7, NLT). tion rates are $7.75 per year (Every Resident Family Plan), $8.75 per year (Group Plan), $11 per year (Individual). Arkansas Baptist News, P.O. Box 552, Little Rock, AR 72203; phone 501-376-4791; toll-free 800838-2272; email: abn@arkansasbaptist.org. Periodical Postage paid at Little Rock, AR. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Baptist News, P.O. Box 552, Little Rock, AR 72203. Board of Directors: Lyndon Finney, Little Rock, president; Jeff Thompson, Fort Smith, vice president; Mary Kisor, Pottsville, secretary; Bob Beach, Little Rock; James Bryant, Harrison; Jennifer Bryant, New Edinburg; Stephanie Copes, Crossett; Carl A. Garvin, Omaha; David McCord, Searcy; Ricky Rogers, Arkadelphia; Troy Sharp, Desha; Chris Sims, Batesville; Will Staggs, North Little Rock; Mike Vinson, Corning; Juel Zeiser, Hot Springs.

Opinion The help we need

Baptists Ask I understand Sunday school for children, but why is there Sunday school for adults?

lthough children do benefit from Sunday school, adults also can profit greatly from it. Sunday school is one of the only places within the church (or society) that devotes itself entirely to Bible study. Few Christians read the Bible regularly, and fewer attempt an in-depth study of it. Sunday school allows its members the chance to search the Scriptures and ask the deep Gore questions of the text. Adult Sunday school enables Christians to grow spiritually. Sunday school members have a free and open conversation about the Christian life. It gives members the opportunity to disciple each other. As members study the Scriptures, they can share their “life lessons” with one another, which promotes spiritual maturity. Adult Sunday school builds relationships. It provides its members the opportunity to get to know others, to visit with them, to encourage them and to pray for them. In most churches, it is simply impossible to know everyone. Sunday school allows individuals to know each other on a deeper level. Adult Sunday school creates family continuity. It can serve as the catalyst for further conversation and application in the home. It should help families create time together for their own Bible study and prayer. To get the most out of Sunday school, one should read the passage for the week, study the lesson and answer the discussion questions that are in the lesson. This allows for greater participation. It is not just the teacher’s job to promote discussion; all members should be ready to do their part. Sunday school is a great program for people of all ages, regardless of their biblical knowledge. I always learn something each time I attend. I believe it will be the same for you. Ken Gore is chairman of the department of Christian studies at Williams Baptist College. “Baptists Ask” is reader-driven. Questions about religion, biblical interpretation and theology are always welcome. To submit a question, email it to tim@arkansasbaptist.org.

August 7, 2014

o you ever have trouble asking for help? I do. I am tion to nourish their talents and hone their skills. It afraid that I will come across as needy or incapacan be hard to teach the youth how to step up and fill ble. Or I am reluctant to bother others, drawing them roles when we are not quite sure how to even define away from their responsibilities to come to my aid. those roles. But the truth is that I cannot do it all on my own. This summer I took a small group of youth girls to Slowly but surely, I am learning that lesson as an indiPraiseWorks, a worship and leadership camp planned vidual, as a Christian and as a church member. by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and hosted This edition of the Arkansas Baptist News is focused by Ouachita Baptist University. The goal of this camp on the Cooperative Program and what that means to us is to equip youth to lead our churches now and in the as Arkansas Baptists. We can all easily future. converse about the way the CooperaI watched as those young women tive Program helps us participate in learned everything from expressive ncovered missions and church planting efforts. worship to basic guitar, from photogish But sometimes I wonder if we Baptists raphy to tech, from drama to choral share my personal reluctance to ask performance. for help. How often does such relucOur church could never have tance keep us from truly exploring taught them those skills on our own. Ann Hibbard the depths of how we work together But, thanks to cooperative talent through the Cooperative Program? from around the state, our youth are We will give our money to share in joint mission work, now better equipped to participate in church leaderbut we are a little less comfortable with the idea of reship. That, in turn, increases our longevity as a church, ceiving help to accomplish God’s work right where we allows us to be more effective in ministry to our comlive. munity and equips us to more strongly support sister Like many Arkansans, my husband and I serve in a churches throughout the state through our giving and small church. We gladly contribute through the Coopexpertise. erative Program, and it excites us as a church to know Yes, the Cooperative Program is about raising funds we are making a worldwide difference in a way we never to support missions and church planting efforts worldcould on our own. But recently, we were reminded how wide. But it also about our need for one another. It our fellow Cooperative Program churches can impact is about actively joining forces to accomplish what we ministry right here in our own town, among our own never can accomplish on our own. How can you be a members. part of that today? We have many talents and skills in our church, but Ann Hibbard is a pastor’s wife and member of First Baptist we often do not know how to train up the next generaChurch, Almyra. Read her blog at www.annehibbard.com.

U D

Help wanted: everyday people T

hese people don’t have the skills, cross-cultural children each day, telling Bible stories, making crafts, training or experience to do this,” I quietly whissinging songs, playing games and sharing the gospel. pered to myself through clenched teeth. The team wept as they prayed over a woman whose It was 1994, and I was in India serving on my first inface was so severely disfigured, due to a large tumor, ternational short-term mission team. The team includshe could barely drink through a straw – much less eat. ed medical doctors, an optometrist, nurses, a dentist, a The same day, we prayed over an infant whose body was plumber, five pastors, several retirees, limp and lethargic and whose skin a student, a wealthy business owner was ashen. Within minutes after the and a struggling entrepreneur. Very prayer, the baby regained skin color, nswering few of the team members had any cried and began breast-feeding. The is all real missions experience, or missions baby’s mother, a Hindu, witnessed training. the power of the “one true God,” beThe second day I watched team lieved the gospel and was saved. members struggle through poorly That night, I quietly sat alone Eric Ramsey composed gospel presentations, vioon my bunk listening to the buzz late cultural protocol and break rules of excitement and wonder as team communicating through an interpreter. members praised God and shared with each other their “What a mess,” I thought to myself. miraculous firsthand accounts of God’s grace. But, every morning before breakfast, the team gathThe buzz faded into the background as the still, small ered and fervently prayed for those who would hear voice of God whispered in my ear, “I receive more glory the gospel that day. The team spent the better part of when I do the extraordinary through everyday people.” a day loving on and medically treating more than 100 It hit me: Nearly every “great hero” in the Scriptures residents of a leper colony while sharing the gospel with was an underdog, a “least likely to succeed,” grossly each one. They treated more than 1,000 patients a day underqualified individual or just an “everyday person” in medical and optometry clinics, sharing the gospel who believed God and obeyed Him. with each one. They led Bible clubs for more than 200 Eric Ramsey is president of TCWM in Mountainburg.

A H C

LEWIS

continued from page 5

The highest academic achievement of “A Life” is McGrath’s discovery that Lewis most likely converted to the Christian faith much later than Lewis himself documented in his autobiography “Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life.” While the discovery does not necessarily shake all previous understanding of Lewis, it makes for interesting trivia for fans

of Lewis’ life and works. Those interested in the study of Christian apologetics and theology most likely recognize McGrath’s previous distinguished works in those fields. In “A Life” his intense thoughtfulness in such matters is combined with a deep passion for Lewis’ works, which the reader can ascertain, made a long and lasting influence on McGrath’s own journey to faith and continues to intrigue him to this day. All in all, while “A Life” may be seen as just another Lewis biogra-

phy, it may be the most insightful and honest of the group due to the author’s focus on telling Lewis’ story not through a personal relationship with the man, but through his written works and correspondences. The result is an incredibly well-researched and fair biography of one of Christianity’s great thinkers. In the end, McGrath achieves his goal of creating a volume facilitating readers in better understanding Lewis’ life and work. Caleb Yarbrough is a staff writer for the Arkansas Baptist News.

Baptist Life

www.arkansasbaptist.org

Border crisis: Time for the Church to be the Church WHEN I LOOK in the mirror, I I’m talking about children that see a man, a husband, a father, and are streaming across our border. among other things, an American When I look into the eyes of my citizen. I still have my childhood own children, I do not just see little baseball cards. I love grandma, apple American children. I see children pie and sweet tea. I stand at attenwho need my care. I am not just an tion for the Pledge American, but a faof Allegiance and ther and a follower national anthem. of Christ. Before iewpoint I see illegal child Other than the Bible, the U.S. immigrants, I see Kim Reeder innocent human Constitution may Barton Chapel beings thrust away be the closest thing to divine inspiraBaptist Church from their homes. tion I know. I am Tyronza I stand to the far pro-life and proright on immigratraditional family. I tion. I do not suphate communism, port amnesty, and totalitarianism, socialism and any in the case of this border crisis, I other ’ism that threatens my liberty. am concerned about reports that as I hate freeloaders and entitlement much as 80 percent of these people programs that reward laziness. I becoming across are adults with ties to lieve the government should not tell terrorist countries. However, within me what size candy bar and soda I this overall crisis, there are thoucan buy. I believe in speaking Engsands of children whose lives are at lish in the United States. I believe stake. that illegal immigrants should be Children are innocent. Throughdeported. And then … out Scripture, children are regarded Then there are the children. as innocent human beings worthy of

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the crisis of unaccompanied minors crossing America’s southern border. The centers in McAllen and San Antonio, Texas, are part of the response to a wave that includes more than 57,000 underage children who have been apprehended at the border with Mexico in the last nine months. Most of the children – and sometimes children accompanied by a young parent or parents – have fled Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, which are plagued not only by poverty, but by violence among gangs involved in drug trafficking. “I was struck as we were walking through the facility with two things: a sense of fear and a sense of hope,” said Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. “A sense of fear when I asked the kids why they made the trek up to the United States. And a sense of hope: I saw many crosses and Bibles. Many people are desperately hoping for an end to the violence where they come from.” Floyd said, “These are real people who are looking for hope, and we have the greatest hope that anyone can give them. ... (W)e need to provide them that hope – hope that we love them, hope that we care for them, hope most of all in the gospel of Jesus Christ that will change their life and give them hope forever, whether they remain in the United States or they go back to their homeland. “People will go a long way and tackle obstacles when they feel that hope is possible. They are hoping for a better life,” Floyd said. Floyd and Moore were among

pastors and other religious leaders who walked through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection detention center in McAllen and a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shelter in San Antonio. Among those participating in one or both of the tours hosted by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) were Jim Richards, the SBTC’s executive director; Daniel Flores, the Roman Catholic bishop of Brownsville, Texas, and SBTC pastors. About 65 children are in the detention center in McAllen, which is a major border crossing point near the southern tip of Texas, but that number will mushroom. The center, opened only a few days earlier to alleviate overcrowding in other McAllen detention centers, can house 1,000 children. The shelter at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio has more than 1,100 children. The McAllen center had children ranging in age from about 5 to 17, while the San Antonio shelter is for 12- to 17-year-olds. Floyd and Moore had expressed concern for the children before going to Texas, but they said touring the facilities personalized the issue for them. “It makes it really real to me,” Floyd said. “It’s no longer about something … that I hear on the news or stories that I read. But now I’ve seen real people who have real moms and dads, who have real grandparents, who have taken long treks across the country ... all looking for a better life, all looking for hope, all looking for safety. They want safety because many of their lives have not been safe.” Moore said the visit “put a human face on a moral crisis for me.” “These children are not issues

protection. When Israel disobeyed at the edge of the Promised Land, God punished adults by death in the wilderness, while showing mercy to the younger generation. In the New Testament, Jesus said to allow the little children to come to Him, for “such is the kingdom of heaven.” He also said we are to become “as little children” if we want to see the kingdom of God. Children are helpless. Jesus’ half brother and disciple James tells us that “pure and undefiled religion” is to visit the widows and orphans in their distress. In ancient times, widows and orphans had very few societal and legal rights, and they suffered terrible injustices. A sign of true religion is a willingness to provide for these who cannot care for themselves. What are the missiological implications of this crisis? Is it possible that the next generation of Christian missionaries to South America have just arrived at the U.S. southern border? Perhaps God has brought the masses to us. If we think in “king-

dom” terms, the mission field is here. Amnesty. Deportation. Pathway to citizenship. These topics will become even more sensitive in the coming months and years as government leaders try to make sense of the influx of refugees. Some will argue that children in the Unites States are already neglected. Some will play on the sympathy of public concern. Partisan politics will be brutal. In my own opinion, the majority of these illegal immigrants should be sent away in the interest of our national security. The children are a different story. This is the time for the Church to be the Church. This is the time for Christians to show compassion and be the shining light on the hill that rises above the political fray. This is the time to decide whether we possess true undefiled religion, or whether we will fall prey to immature political games. Kim Reeder is pastor of Barton Chapel Baptist Church, Tyronza.

Ronnie Floyd, pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas and president of the Southern Baptist Convention, joins Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and other key leaders during a tour of federal facilities holding children who crossed the U.S./Mexico border illegally. to be resolved but persons bearing dignity and needing care,” he said. “The issues involved in this crisis are complex, but our first response should be one of compassion and justice, not fear or disgust.” After touring the San Antonio shelter, Richards added, “We, as a state convention, are compassionate to these children. It is our obligation under the gospel to minister to them and help them, regardless of the circumstances in which they came or their future. Our main concern is to care for the children.” Baptists in Texas with both the SBTC and Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) have been ministering as they are able, but the federal government has strictly limited access to unaccompanied children. HHS is responsible for custody of such children once they are moved from detention centers. It permits only federal authorities and federal contractors to be in contact with the minors, according to the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. For now, Baptist churches are

primarily working to help children and adults crossing the border together by serving them at a processing center; providing food, clothing and showers, and doing laundry. A Hispanic pastor affiliated with the BGCT is conducting worship services for unaccompanied children in one shelter, according to that convention. Moore said he is “deeply encouraged by the response of Christians to this crisis. “We need to be praying for a just resolution, and quickly,” he said. Floyd expressed gratitude “for the churches who have helped along the way. “And I want to encourage all of our Southern Baptist churches to see what’s happening and think about what you can do to help as a church,” he said. “Do what Jesus would do: He would care for the children and show them compassion while we have them in our nation.” The federal government has moved some of the children to other states for housing, sometimes by faith-based organizations.

Missions Calvary Trail Baptist reaches cowboy community 8

August 7, 2014

Jessica Vanderpool Arkansas Baptist News LOUANN – From holding monthly trail rides to sponsoring annual wrangler camps, members of Calvary Trail Cowboy Church, Louann, do whatever they can to reach the cowboy community. “Calvary Trail Cowboy Church targets a specific segment of the population,” explained Roger Gaunt, Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) church planting team member and church planter strategist. “Zeroing in on the love some have for our Western culture, they use arena activities and a unique worship style to share Christ.” Donny Hargett, pastor of Calvary Trail, shared that even the church’s beginning, as a Bible study, came as a result of a horse ministry at Beech Springs Camp and Conference Center. “The people who helped me – as camp director – to care for the horses came to the morning devotional I was doing for my summer staff of eight high school and college students. These horse handlers wanted their own Bible study, and thus began the seeding of a new church plant,” said Hargett, who also serves as camp director for Beech Springs camp, which is a min-

istry of Liberty Baptist Association. The Bible study began in 2012, and the group was organized as a mission of First Baptist Church, Camden, in early 2013. The ABSC, North American Mission Board and Liberty Baptist Association partnered with First Baptist, Camden, in order to make it possible for Hargett to become a cowboy church planter in starting this new work. Calvary Trail constituted as a church in October 2013 and has baptized more than 30 people since then. Though the church currently meets at Beech Springs camp, they bought 31 acres of land across the road from the camp and hope to build a full-size arena soon. Along with the brunch and trail ride they hold the last Sunday of each month, Hargett said one of Calvary Trail’s best evangelistic tools has been the wrangler camp they sponsor at Beech Springs each year. Two sessions of the camp are held – one for teenagers and one for younger students. The camp is provided by Liberty Baptist Association at Beech Springs. Calvary Trail sponsors the camp and provides instructors and counselors in coordination with the

Calvary Trail Cowboy Church, Louann, sponsors a wrangler camp (above) in an effort to reach students for Christ. Mike Launius (below), pastor of Rugged Cross Cowboy Church, Magnolia, leads children on horseback during Wrangler Camp. association. Hargett helps organize indeed His work! God has been addthe camp’s physical resources and ing to our church through this evancoordinate its spiritual content. gelistic tool of Wrangler Camp.” “Wrangler Camp has a very disThis year, Pastor Mike Launius, tinctive ‘Western’ flavor, and recof Rugged Cross Cowboy Church, reational activities center around Magnolia, served as keynote speaker. the horses. Caring cowboy church More than 70 students in total atvolunteers help young riders learn tended the two sessions of the camp. how to properly care for and ride Students of all skill levels rode at their horse,” Hargett said, adding least twice a day. Since the camp that even the Bible lessons, speaker began in 2012, there have been more and worship music have an “obvithan a dozen salvations, including ous Western atmosphere and applisome adults. cation.” Volunteers from 20 to 70 years On the last day of camp, there old helped with the camp. is a grand finale with a final gospel “I’ve been proud of our church presentation and a time for campers folks,” Hargett said. “They truly saw to demonstrate their horsemanship the potential in each wrangler, and skills for their families. they loved up on some ‘rough rid“Wrangler Camp is an important ers’ who needed to see a better trail opportunity we are learning how and a better way of life. We grew too! better to take advantage of,” Hargett Praise the Lord for Christian cowsaid. “Our target is the cowboy, boys and cowgirls! Yehaw!” those of a Western heritage persuaContact Jessica Vanderpool at sion. God has blessed us, and it is jessica@arkansasbaptist.org.

God changes lives through Christian Wrangler Camp Jessica Vanderpool Arkansas Baptist News WYNNE – In 2000, Tracy Wilson’s vision of starting a camp became a reality. With the help of friends, Wilson began a ministry called Christian Wrangler Camp, which is located in Wynne. Through the years, the camp has blessed hundreds of people and has seen God work in mighty ways. “The premise of the camp was basically a kids camp with horses,” said Wilson, church planter and pastor of Three Trees Cowboy Church in Wynne, a church plant that was sponsored by Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) and Tri-County Baptist Association. “We had a vision of using our horses to reach out to kids who either could not afford to go to other summer camps

or had no means.” At the time the camp was started, Wilson was a member of CROSSroads Baptist Church in Hughes. Though the camp is an independent nonprofit ministry not tied to a specific church, its board members are comprised of Southern Baptists. “Wrangler camp is an innovative way to bring children to Christ,” said Roger Gaunt, ABSC church planting team member and church planter strategist. “Using a child’s love for horses and their fascination with the cowboy lifestyle, committed men and women are ‘loving kids to Jesus – cowboy style,’” Gaunt added, quoting the camp’s slogan. Since the camp began, more than 700 students have made salvation decisions. One of those children was Tyler Jones. The day after his mother dropped him off at the camp, 12-year-old Tyler was homesick and ready to leave. Wilson recalls how he coaxed

the camper to stay one more night. The following night, the boy accepted Christ as Savior. Because his family did not have a church home, Wilson offered to have Tyler baptized at CROSSroads Baptist Church, where Wilson was working with the youth at the time. Not only was Tyler baptized, but his parents – Walter and Sharon Jones – rededicated their lives to serve Christ and joined the church. His father, who had not grown up in the Baptist denomination, was baptized. Walter and Sharon Jones joined the Christian Wrangler Camp board of directors and eventually helped Wilson start Three Trees Cowboy Church. In fact, Three Trees now requires Wilson’s full-time attention – with 160 people being saved since it began in 2011. He recently stepped down as president of Christian Wrangler Camp in order to focus on the church. And Walter Jones stepped in to serve as president of

the camp. This year, 23 people accepted Christ as Savior at the camp. “To me, it just drives home what we know God is capable of doing but we don’t always notice Him doing,” Wilson said. “It’s just the old beauty from ashes story – Him using this boy and drawing his family into the kingdom and setting his father up for service.” Currently a one-week camp is held each year. In addition a cowboy weekend camp is held in the fall, and the first cowgirl weekend camp was held this spring. In the future, Walter Jones would like to hold two weeklong camps each year. “There’s a mission field right here – our own kids in our own backyards and schools … who need to be taught about Jesus,” he said. Contact Jessica Vanderpool at jessica@arkansasbaptist.org.

reaches Arkansas and around the T

he eternal significance of a soul saved cannot be valued in dollars and cents. However, your cooperative giving is a valuable part of the equation because it provides the training and opportunities for missionaries to reach out to people all over Arkansas, as well as in North America and around the world. Touching the world from Pocahontas

It is interesting to think that when Jesus spoke the words “to the ends of the earth,” the place I call home would be in the “ends of the earth” column. As the gospel spread through the known world in the early days of the Church, the place that would many years later be known as Pocahontas was completely unknown. Often when we think about that wonderful passage in Acts 1, we consider our home to be the center of the universe. The truth is, though, that we are at the ends of the earth! At First Baptist Church, Pocahontas, it is this perspective that helps us remember the power of the Cooperative Program (CP). Each month, we give a portion of what God has given us to the Cooperative Program because we believe we are able to touch the world from Pocahontas. The CP forces us to remember that we are part of something much greater than ourselves. I am excited about what God is doing here at First Baptist, Pocahontas, but I am even more excited to see that what God is doing here is a part of what God is doing all over the world. We are a part of this great movement of God, in part, because of the Cooperative Program. Here at First Baptist Church, our Cooperative Program giving is one of the best investments we could ever make!

We may not be able to support a new missionary family in Botswana on our own, but through the Cooperative Program, we partner with thousands of other Southern Baptists in order to make that happen. We may not be able to support a Baptist collegiate minister on our own, but through the Cooperative Program, we partner with other Arkansas Baptists in order to make that happen. We may not be able to support a new church plant in the Arkansas Delta on our own, but through Cooperative Program partnership, we are a part of what God is doing. The Cooperate Program is the vehicle that alMoffett lows us to be a part of what God is doing all across Arkansas, across America and across the world. We can do so much more together than we can by ourselves. That is the power of the Cooperative Program – the power to be used by the Lord to touch the world from Pocahontas – from the ends of the earth! – Eric Moffett, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pocahontas

Collegiate and young leaders

The Cooperative Program has come full-circle in the life of Tarvoris “Tee” Uzoigwe, campus minister at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Uzoigwe grew up in southwest Little Rock where the pastor from a local Arkansas Baptist church in his neighborhood was doing outreach and evangelism. The result of that effort was that Uzoigwe gave his heart and life to Christ and began to be discipled by this pastor and his wife. Uzoigwe enrolled in Henderson State University (HSU) in

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August 7, 2014

Thousands of students took part in Super Summer Arkansas, an annual evangelistic/discipleship camp sponsored by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Hundreds made decisions for Christ.

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Super Summer Arkansas combines fellowship and fun with worship and teaching.

Arkadelphia where he was a standout athlete, was active in the BCM and met his wife-to-be, Erica. After graduation and marriage, both found jobs making good money and, in Uzoigwe’s words, were “living the American dream” when the Lord began to call him out of his coaching/teaching job and into ministry. After praying together and with their HSU BCM campus minister, Neal Nelson, they sensed God calling them to Pine Bluff. Already God is blessing Uzoigwe with souls saved! Philandus was one of the first to receive Christ under Uzoigwe’s ministry. He shared with his friend, E.J., and students began praying that the Lord wouldn’t let E.J. sleep until his sins were forgiven. E.J. testified that he lay awake most of that night, unable to shake the need to get right with the Lord. After meeting with Uzoigwe, he also gave his life to Christ. This story was continued recently at Watson Chapel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. John Hurd, the same man who was pastor of the Arkansas

Baptist church in Uzoigwe’s southwest Little Rock neighborhood, and whom Uzoigwe now calls his grandfather, joined Uzoigwe and these young men on the platform. Hurd said, “I was only doing what I was supposed to.” That night, Todd Howard, pastor of Watson Chapel, challenged his church to “search your own heart and ask if the Lord might want you to take some new risk for His kingdom.”

Trusting Christ at Super Summer

Super Summer Arkansas is a student camp sponsored by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University. The camp is designed for evangelism and strategic discipleship and is supported by your Cooperative Program dollars. Kenzie came to Super Summer on invitation from her cousin. She hadn’t been in church much and had not been to a camp like Super Summer. Each night the gospel was presented clearly in the worship services. During the day, she witnessed believers who desired to know Christ more through sound teaching in smaller groups called “schools.” Being agnostic at best, Kenzie knew after a couple of nights that she needed answers. During an invitation, she asked how to “know God.” A staffer

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Arkansas Baptist disaster relief volunteers responded to storms that hit Vilonia earlier this year. and adult were able to help her work through the existence of God, the reliability of Scripture and then the gospel. When asked what she wanted to do with what she had witnessed and been told, she simply said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe.â&#x20AC;? Kenzie prayed and trusted Christ as her Savior. More than 2,600 students, adults and staffers attended Super Summer this past year, with 200 professions of faith and hundreds of other decisions. Many churches have reported multiple baptisms as a result of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working at Super Summer. Many churches have also reported mini-

revivals through the testimonies of those that attended. And all of that is a result of churches working together through the Cooperative Program.

Serving Christ during crisis

Disaster relief reaches out to hurting people to share help, healing and hope by feeding people, cutting trees and removing debris, offering

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laundry/shower services and providing means of communication when cell towers and phone lines are down. Your CP missionaries are there too. Following the April 27 tornadoes, chaplain Tamra Gore was given the opportunity to talk with a family who not only lost their home and all their belongings, but also lost family members. When she arrived the morning after the tornado, the shocked family was sifting through what once was their family home. A young boy was walking around barefoot with shards of glass, crushed masonry and twisted metal everywhere. It just so happened that Gore had thrown some extra flipflops in her vehicle before leaving home that morning. She was able to offer the boy shoes. Even though they were pink flip-flops, he gladly accepted. One day several weeks later, Gore received a phone call from a woman she had visited previously. The woman was crying, upset by an approaching thunderstorm. Gore stopped what she was doing, got in her car and drove from Benton to Mayflower. After stopping by Sonic Drive-In for drinks, she went to listen and offer calming words of Christ’s hope. Disaster relief statistics from this past year: • Arkansas disaster relief volunteers prepared and distributed more than 21,000 meals.

Arkansas Baptists minister to communities through Connect. The next Connect event will take place Nov. 14-16 in Russellville. • Approximately 700 volunteers served in relief efforts. • Eleven chain saw recovery teams, an on-site feeding unit and a portable shower trailer were deployed. Your Cooperative Program dollars were there when people in Ferndale, Mayflower and Vilonia were forever affected by one evening’s storms.

Crossing barriers to Connect

Connect is a ministry of the ABSC missions team supported by gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.

For more information on the Cooperative Program, visit sbc.net/cp

The goal of this student mission event is to connect students and their leaders to God, to a lost world, to local churches and to one another. In 2013, a unique connection took place between two very different churches. River Bible Church of Mountain Home teamed up with New Creation Baptist Church of North Little Rock. Many of the students and adults from both churches served together on ministry projects during the day on Saturday. River Bible Church hosted New Creation for Sunday school, worship and a fellowship meal on Sunday afternoon. From that initial connection, the two churches formed individual friendships and a partnership between the two congregations. Since the Connect event in Mountain Home,

www.arkansasbaptist.org groups also attended Connect in Alexander this year, and once again joined together to serve, worship and fellowship. What makes this connection so unique is that River Bible Church is a young church plant made up of a predominantly Caucasian congregation. New Creation is an established church with a predominantly African-American congregation. God used the experience of Connect to cross cultural boundaries and unite His people for kingdom purposes. This is an example for us all.

CP ‘a huge part of my life’

Arkansas Baptists serve through Connect event. the two churches teamed up for a block party in North Little Rock for New Creation. Students from both groups have stayed in contact through texts, emails and phone calls. Students have attended each other’s games when the schools come to their town, taking time to find one another and visit after the games. Daryl Dandridge, New Creation pastor, and David Small, River Bible Church student pastor, and their families have developed an ongoing friendship. Both

The Cooperative Program (CP) is a huge part of my life. Growing up, I knew I was a part of sending missionaries all over the world (that’s the CP). In college, I served a summer in Wyoming with the North American Mission Board (still the CP). Then I transferred to Williams Baptist College where I met my wife and graduated without overwhelming loans (the CP makes education affordable at our Baptist colleges). The Cooperative Program made it possible for us to serve the last nine years in western Africa, the poorest region on earth. The CP provides transportation to get us places where we are literally the first ones to proclaim the name of Jesus. The CP helped us not worry about birthing children in those countries because we knew we’d get good care. The CP helped us not worry about receiving care when my wife had to have an emergency appendectomy. The CP helps us better teach the Word of God by making seminary affordable (50 percent off for those who serve with our organization). The CP makes all that possible, but in the end,

Shadrach Black tests the flow over a dam built by Baptist Global Response through the World Hunger Fund. it comes down to souls. We began international service doing media work. The CP paid for studio time to record books of the Bible for CD and radio distribution. The CP provided equipment to record testimonies in rural areas as nationals came to faith. When songs were written of nationals’ experiences with Jesus and the Word, the CP made distribution possible. Seven years later, we still hear stories of these recordings being used in many different countries and of people continuing to come to Christ. – Shadrach Black For the last nine years, Black and his family have served in western Africa with a goal of helping meet spiritual and physical needs. He was recently appointed project coordinator over West Africa for Baptist Global Response and now works with national and international churches, other gospel workers and strategic partners to accomplish this same goal on a much larger scale. Black’s wife, Melissa, is currently finishing nursing school. They have four children – Hezekiah, 10, Miriam, 8, Joy, 6, and Silas 4.

August 7, 2014

The Arkansas Baptist News thanks Arkansas Baptist churches and their members for their loyal support of the Cooperative Program.

www.arkansasbaptist.org

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we have to argue about this?” While Antioch’s Baptist and Methodist churches are independent and hold different theological convictions, Johnson said they are able to partner together because each church believes the most important duty of their congregations is to reach the world with the gospel of Christ. “When it comes to a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ and how they are saved, there is no disagreement. It is strictly by faith in the Lord Jesus,” said Johnson. The Baptist and Methodist churches of Antioch Community Church are financially autonomous. Each church owns 50 percent of the church building and surrounding property. “We have our own budget, we have our own treasurer, we have our own finances and, on the Sundays I preach, the offering goes to the Baptist church. Unless we know that the individual that is giving is a member of the Methodist church, then we will turn it over to them. And they do us vice versa,” said Johnson. “Some people say, ‘How does it work?’” said Johnson. “You have got to remember back in the early 1900s and up into the 1950s, this road out here was gravel, all the way to Antioch. Most of the people living out there were born and raised out there. There were a lot of families out there, and a lot of them are still there. I can understand that back in those days, to come into Beebe for worship, as a Baptist, would be difficult.” While the two churches separate their finances, communion and membership, they come together for fellowship suppers, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, student ministry and in raising money for local missions and ministry in the local Antioch and greater Beebe communities. Though Johnson and Gilliam alternate preaching duties each Sun-

Baptist Life day, both pastors attend services and the brethren. We have a good fellowserve as a worship assistant when ship with others. Again, we do not they are not preaching and visit ill separate out. When we have activimembers of both churches at home ties, the youth work together. Don’t or in the hospital. get me wrong – I According to do have my board Gilliam, many and Scott has his who attend serdeacons. We do vices each Sunday function individhold memberually,” said Gilship in one of liam. “However, the churches but when we have ice consider both he cream socials, we and Johnson to Scott Johnson (left), Baptist pastor at Antioch are all together; be their pastors. Community Church, and Jim Gilliam, the when we have “We work to- church’s Methodist pastor. Photo by Caleb chili suppers or gether in the care Yarbrough pie suppers or of the congregaspaghetti suppers, tion,” said Gilliam. “Even though we we are all together. And there is a have two churches, everybody is here genuine bond, a very loving church, each Sunday. It doesn’t matter if it is a very friendly church, and I rejoice the Baptist Sunday or the Methodist in that.” Sunday. They are all here.” “We all serve the same Lord. We “There is a genuine love among have the same Guidebook, and we

17 serve the same Lord,” said Gilliam. “I don’t know anything about Nazarenes or Assemblies or whatever, but I do know Southern Baptists because I serve in a church that is also Southern Baptist,” said Gilliam. “I want you to understand I have enormous respect for the Baptist church, for its continued conservative stance and for its absolute statement that you must be born again. You will never hear me contradict any of those things in any sermon I will ever preach,” he said. “Scott (Johnson) told me one time when I preached the Easter sermon at First Methodist in Beebe that I might be called Methodist but that I was Baptist on the inside.” “When I gather my sweet corn, I take it to all of them,” joked Gilliam. Contact Caleb Yarbrough at caleb@ arkansasbaptist.org.

Commentary

18 Explore the Bible:

August 17, 2014

August 7, 2014

Bible Studies for Life:

Never give up on prayer

Victorious faith

Daniel 6:3-7, 10-11, 16-23

1 Peter 5:6-11

“The windows ... opened toward credit, trap and eliminate Daniel. Jerusalem.” Many recognize these Yet, God is unchangeable. Though words from the daily devotional He controls kingdoms, He still interpublication “Open Windows.” Genvenes in the lives of His people. He erations have turned to this guide to protects and delivers those who trust pray for almost 80 years, often durin Him (Psa. 37:25, 28; 46:1). He ing historically unsettling times. does not abandon the faithful! In Daniel, we see disciplined reSir Peter Paul Rubens’ painting action to emergency “Daniel in the Lions’ situations. During Den” is painted from the the course of his 80 perspective of being in years, his method of the den. What was that advanced preparation like? Those who had “mainvolved persistent, liciously accused Daniel” consistent prayer to found out, according to overcome any enemy. Daniel 6:24. His routine included God makes Himself Janice Ramsey a place, time and poknown to another pagan member sition (Psa. 55:16-17; king. Because of the faithSecond Baptist Dan. 6:10). ful testimony of Daniel Daniel wisely and the power of God, Arkadelphia trusts God to see him Darius honors God (Dan. through crisis and re6:26-27; Prov. 9:10). fuses to alter his pattern. He knew Lions choose prey that are usually that he was innocent before God alone, weak and helpless. Victims and king; therefore, he was unyieldare not watching for danger, or they ing. God honors commitment. are distracted and focused only on Kings may rise and fall, but circumstances and troubles. Heed human nature doesn’t change. The the warning of 1 Peter 5:8. weeds of deception, resentment, Do you need God to shut the jealousy and selfish ambition thrive. mouth of a lion? Don’t give up on Opposing leaders conspire to disprayer!

Entitlement and egoism are very Christ, we may be tempted to lord prevalent in today’s society. We’re over believers who are at a different often quick to point it out in the place in their faith. That may seem secular world, but it is also in our like an entitlement we are rewarded churches. In 1 Peter 5, Peter points for our righteousness; rather, it can out the importance of humility in be a temptation from Satan to derail the lives of Christians. He breaks us from spiritual growth. Peter even down why we need to be humble compares the enemy to a “roaring and how we faithfully lion, looking for someaccomplish that in our one to devour” in verse lives as followers of 8 to remind us that we Christ. need to always be alert. While Peter was iniHe is just admonishing tially referring to the bebelievers to be on guard lievers who were sufferand to acknowledge ing persecution in the that the enemy is always early Church, we can around the corner, waitSherrill Moffett still gain insight in how ing for us to fail, but that member to live out our faith in God is our strength. First Baptist everyday circumstances. In the end of the Humility is one of the chapter, we are remindPocahontas biggest characteristics ed of our Christian that Peter points out in brothers and sisters this chapter. He reassures the reader around the world who are walking that God needs to be the one to lift alongside us in the faith. We can us up, not ourselves. Peter also exfind comfort from this in our times presses the need to be conscious of of suffering. The greatest comfort we spiritual warfare that is present and find in his messages, though, is that prevalent in lives of believers. there is a promise of God’s redempSometimes when we are having tion, restoration and overall victory what we call “mountaintop experiover the enemy. Knowing this, we ences” in our relationships with can live out a victorious faith.

Explore the Bible:

August 24, 2014

Bible Studies for Life:

Live to win in the end

God’s work of creation

Daniel 7:7-18

Psalm 104:1-5, 24-30

Many people have recurring These things are sure and certain: dreams. Mine involves going back to Daniel confirms! college and overcoming obstacles to (1) God has a plan for the future. get to class on time. He alone controls world history. He In Daniel 7, we read of the unis sovereign over all history. He asfolding of world history in the signs power to kingdoms to fulfill form of visions. In describing four His purposes. Human world empires beasts representing will not last; powerful nafour earthly kingdoms, tions pass into obscurity. Daniel writes of their Only God’s world empire power and strength, will remain. His kingswiftness and agility dom is eternal and will and also of their ferostand long after earthly cious and terrifying depowers have fallen. structiveness. (2) God is the world We realize that even Judge. He is on the Daniel asked questions throne; He is over all Janice Ramsey and needed assistance peoples, all powers. member in comprehending. Judgment is certain. Second Baptist Many years have passed All enemies will be deArkadelphia since W. O. Vaught feated; all evil will be taught on the book of removed. Everlasting vicDaniel at Immanuel Baptist Church, tory belongs to God. Little Rock. Scholars debate escha(3) Jesus is coming again. He tological events, and many memcomes to receive ultimate authority bers in classes would love to debate and power to reign. All will serve end-time prophecies every Sunday. Jesus (Dan. 7:13-14; Phil. 2:9-11). There are books, charts and timeWhat is the impact on daily life? lines. To further complicate matters, Victory is guaranteed. Paul tells us prophecy often has both immediate to “encourage one another” that we historical fulfillment and/or perwill always be with Him and “live totains to events in the future. It is gether with Him” (1 Thess. 4:17-18; all overwhelming to laypeople. Let’s 5:10-11). Live confidently in Jesus concentrate on certainties. and His victory!

When we look at the Book of God’s greatness in creation. Psalms, we find a journey of emoToward the end of chapter 104, tions. The psalmist gives us an inin verses 24-30, we see another credible glimpse into his personal method of praising the Lord. The relationship with God. psalmist begins to describe specific In the passage we are focusing aspects about creation and how evon this week, we will erything works together find theological insights in harmony. Take the and beautiful praises oceans, for example. in honor of the Lord. The psalmist praises Some of the praises are the Lord by acknowldirect, and others are edging how God made just proclamations of the oceans to teem God’s greatness. All towith life of every kind, gether, they give us cause both large and small. It to join in the praises as truly is a testament of Sherrill Moffett we acknowledge our God’s wisdom in the Member Creator. creation process. God’s First Baptist In Psalm 104:1-5, the attention to detail is Pocahontas psalmist paints a very unparalleled when we vivid picture with their really take time to think words as he describes about it. the Lord and his surroundings. The Book of Psalms gives us a As an extremely artsy and rightwonderful example of how to combrained person, I love the imagery municate with God. While the the psalmist provides here. The idea psalmist’s praises are a combination of envisioning the starry heavens of personal testimonies and more as a curtain or the clouds as God’s general, communal praises, we can chariot is really intriguing. follow his lead. If you have ever known a visual The greatest example we have learner, encourage him or her to comes from Psalm 104:1. No matter read through this passage. It offers how we go about praising the Lord, a fresh new way to praise the Lord, we must do it with all that we have through a detailed description of and all that we are!

ABSC

www.arkansasbaptist.org

Missions camps set for Sept. MISSIONS GetAway for girls and Camp-O-Rama for boys will both take place Sept. 19-21 at Spring Lake Baptist Assembly in Lonsdale. The goal of the children’s missions camps is for participants to explore what missionaries do, experience cultures from around the world and meet others who want to live a

missions lifestyle. Missions GetAway is an event for girls in first through sixth grades. Camp-O-Rama is an overnight tent-camping missions event for boys in first through sixth grades. For more information, visit www. absc.org/childhood or call 800-8382272, ext. 5137.

For information on how to advertise in the Arkansas Baptist News (ABN) contact Steve McPherson, ABN advertising director, at steve@arkansasbaptist.org or 501-343-6598.

Campers on Mission serve MEMBERS of Arkansas Campers On Mission joined together for a missions project before one of their two annual statewide rallies. Members served by helping prepare Camp Siloam for summer attendees. They sewed cur t ains, cleaned mattresses and repaired buildings. In September, Arkansas Camp-

ers on Mission members will man a booth at the Northeast Arkansas District Fair in Jonesboro. Campers on Mission is a national fellowship of Christian campers sponsored by the North American Mission Board. For more information on Arkansas Campers On Mission, contact mhendrix@absc.org.

Associational annual meetings schedule* Association

Date

Place/Time

Arkansas River Valley Oct. 14 First Baptist, Danville, 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Arkansas Valley Oct. 20 Second Baptist, West Helena, TBA Ashley County Oct. 21 First Baptist, Hamburg, TBA Bartholomew Oct. 20 Ladelle Baptist, Monticello, TBA Big Creek Oct. 24 Viola Baptist, Viola, TBA Black River Oct. 14 White Oak Baptist, Walnut Ridge, TBA Buckner Oct. 14 New Providence Baptist, Hackett, 7 p.m. TBA Buckville TBA Caddo River Oct. 12 Community Bible Baptist, Glenwood, TBA Calvary Oct. 21 Central Baptist, Bald Knob, 3 p.m. Carey Oct. 20 Holly Springs Baptist, Sparkman, TBA Caroline Oct. 7 Mount Carmel Baptist, Cabot, 2 p.m. Centennial Oct. 13 First Baptist, DeWitt, 6:30 p.m. Central Oct. 23 Third Baptist, Malvern, TBA Clear Creek Oct. 11 Oak Grove Baptist, Van Buren, TBA Concord Aug. 24 Eastside Baptist, Fort Smith, TBA Conway-Perry Oct. 21 First Baptist, Perryville, TBA Current-Gaines Oct. 21 Shannon Baptist, Pocahontas, TBA Delta Oct. 12 Temple Baptist, Dermott, 6 p.m. Faulkner Oct. 16 Second Baptist, Conway, TBA Garland County Oct. 14 Rector Heights Baptist, Hot Springs, TBA Greene County Oct. 14 Unity Baptist, Paragould, TBA Harmony Oct. 20 First Baptist, White Hall, 5:30 p.m.

Association

Independence

Date

Place/Time

Oct. 13 Rosie Baptist, Rosie, 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Liberty Oct. 13 First Baptist, El Dorado, TBA Little Red River Oct. 20 Sugarloaf Baptist, Heber Springs, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Little River Oct. 12 First Baptist, Nashville, TBA Mississippi County Oct. 21 Armorel Baptist, Armorel, TBA Mt. Zion Oct. 20 Walnut Street Baptist, Jonesboro, TBA North Arkansas Oct. 21 Valley View Baptist, Eureka Springs, TBA North Central Oct. 13 Immanuel Baptist, Clinton, 5:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. North Pulaski Sept. 21 First Baptist, Sherwood, 6 p.m. Northwest Arkansas Oct. 20 Immanuel Baptist, Rogers, 6:30 p.m. Ouachita Oct. 13 Dallas Avenue Baptist, Mena, TBA Pulaski Oct. 14 Indian Springs Baptist, Bryant, 12 p.m. Red River Oct. 19 First Baptist, Prescott, TBA Rocky Bayou Oct. 16 Sidney Baptist, Sidney, 6:30 p.m. Southwest Arkansas TBA TBA Tri-County Oct. 20 East Baptist, Wynne, TBA Trinity Oct. 20 Providence Baptist, Trumann, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wash. Madison Oct. 20 First Baptist, Farmington, 5:30 p.m. White River Oct. 20 First Baptist, Bull Shoals, TBA

*Information provided by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention The staff of the Arkansas Baptist News is available to attend your association’s annual meeting. Contact us at jessica@arkansasbaptist.org.

Classifieds PASTOR White River Baptist Church is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Please send resumes to Search Committee, P.O. Box 138, Oil Trough, AR 72564. Leachville Second Baptist is seeking bi-vocational pastor. Please send resume to Leachville Second Baptist Church, Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 565, Leachville, AR 72438. Seeking an experienced full-time pastor at First Baptist Church (SBC) in Piggott. Send resumes to FBC Search Committee, 480 W. Main, Piggott, AR 72454. Osceola First Baptist is seeking a full-time pastor. Send resumes to Pastor Search Committee, 2900 W. Keiser Ave., Osceola, AR 72370 or email to fbcosc@rittermail.com. First Baptist Church (SBC) of Evening Shade is seeking a full-time or bi-vocational pastor. Please send resume to FBCES Pastor Search Committee, 290 AR 230, Cave City, AR 72521. Star Hope Baptist Church, Elsberry, Mo., an affiliated SBC congregation, is looking for a pastor who (a) supports the Cooperative Program and (b) embraces the tenets of the 2000 Baptist Faith

and Message. Some seminary training desired. Interested applicants should send their resume to shbc@starhope.org. First Baptist Church of Floyd is seeking a bivocational or full-time pastor. As the Lord leads, please send your resume to FBC of Floyd, Pastor Search Committee, 1198 Highway 31, Romance, AR 72136. New Hope Baptist Church in Jay, Okla., is prayerfully seeking a full-time pastor. Please send resumes to newhopebaptistjay@gmail.com. Trinity Baptist Church, Fort Smith, is seeking a bi-vocational or full-time pastor. Please send resume to Trinity Baptist Pastor Search Committee, 3619 N. 6, Fort Smith, AR 72904 or email trinitybc2@juno.com.

OTHER STAFF POSITIONS First Baptist Church, Maumelle, is looking for a church pianist. Our services are blended with a 35-voice choir that sings every Sunday. Our next pianist needs to be a dynamic Christian, good at reading music and creative with the instrument. Needed for two services on Sunday, as well as

Wednesday nights for choir rehearsal. Contact Bruce Rodtnick at Rodtnick@comcast.net for more information. Minister of music (bi-vocational) and/ or interim. Submit resume by email, fbcw. musicsearch@gmail.com, or by mail, First Baptist Church, Attn. Search Committee Chair, 202 W. Jackson, Willard, MO 65781. Specify interest in permanent, interim or both positions. Information: 417-742-2751. First Baptist Church of Salem is seeking a fulltime youth pastor. Please send resume to Salem First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 73, Salem, AR 72576 or email us at salemfirstbaptist@gmail.com. Hindsville 1st Baptist Church in northwest Arkansas is seeking a bi-vocational paid position for a youth pastor. Send resume to scottsprmkr@aol.com or P.O. Box 113, Hindsville, AR 72738. First Baptist Church of Hamburg is seeking a full-time youth minister. Send resume to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 352, Hamburg, AR 71646 or email us at fbchbg_office@sbcglobal.net. Connection Church in Spearfish, S.D., is a new church plant in search of a youth pastor. Being

a new church plant, this is an area that is new and ready for leadership. For more information, please go to our website www.spearfishconnection.com and look under the ministry tab. First Baptist Church, Batesville, is seeking a full-time minister of preschool/children. Send resume to First Baptist Church, Attn: Stacy Reed, P.O. Box 2455, Batesville, AR 72503 or email to stacy@fbcbatesville.org. Accompanist needed. Crystal Hill Baptist Church, Little Rock. Generous salary. Call Jody at 501-208-2175 for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS First Baptist Church, Dardanelle, is looking for a used 15-passenger van for children’s ministry. 479-229-3727. Organists needed at Calvary Baptist Church in Benton. Contact Jerry Williams: 501-658-5593.

Advertise in the Arkansas Baptist News! Email steve@arkansasbaptist.org Call 501-376-4791, ext. 5161

Across Arkansas 14 saved at Soles 4 Souls event in Hermitage 20

HERMITAGE – The annual Soles 4 Souls Calvary Baptist Association mission project July 25-26 at Hermitage Baptist Church served 81 families, with a total of 175 people attending. In all, 158 children and youth received shoes to begin the new school year, and 14 prayed to receive Christ, the association reported. On Friday, July 25, teams went door-to-door handing out invitations to the event and prayer walked. The following day a shoe giveaway and

August 7, 2014

block party were held. “What a blessed day in the Lord. Again, thank you to all the churches and people who provided shoes or money so that shoes could be purchased. Also, our volunteers, including a group from Neches, Texas, were exceptional, and God used each one in a unique way. Thank you for allowing God to use you today,” said David McCord, associational missionary for Calvary Baptist Association.

Eighty-one families were served through this year’s Soles 4 Souls mission project held July 25-26.

Church Services Directory Baptistries/Steeples

Construction Sales Co., Inc.

P.O. Box 1049 Magnolia, AR 71753-1049 800-526-9663 FAX: 870-234-6475

Also laminated wood arches, beams and decking

Church Consulting

Travis Young Family Ministries

501-259-0704 Email: YoungFamilyMinistries@hotmail.com www.youngfamilyministries.com Transformational children’s ministry consulting, training, and evangelism. Fifteen-year veteran has worked with 100+ churches and organizations

Church Facility Planner Sowell Architects

1315 North Street, Suite 100 Conway, AR 72034 501-450-9633 FAX: 501-450-7228 Email: rik@sowellarchitects.com www.sowellarchitects.com Master planning, site analysis and all architectural services

Church Insurance

Michael B Russell, MA, MBA

Member, First Baptist Church, Springdale Mike Russell & Associates P.O. Box 709, Bentonville, AR 72712 877-715-5336, 479-657-6369 fax

www.protectmychurch.org AR Ins. Lic. #185726 Non-profit - Church - Commercial - Employee Benefits

James Greene & Associates 800-422-3384 www.jamesgreeneins.com

James Greene & Associates represents Brotherhood Mutual Insurance, a national leader insuring churches in alliance with GuideStone. Call today or go online for property, liability, auto and worker’s comp quotes!

Kitchen Equipment & Supplies Aimco Equipment Co. 10001 Colonel Glenn Rd. Little Rock, AR 72204 501-228-0808

Lighting & Sound American AVL

800-352-7222 Little Rock/Jackson/Ruston/New Orleans Audio, Video, & Lighting Systems & Equipment Ask about our free site needs AVL review

Playgrounds Rusty Peoples - rusty@peopleslandscaping.com 479-769-0580, (toll-free) 866-388-1365 Quality park-playground equip, surfacing & shades Free design consultations

www.heartlandparks.com

To place your business in the monthly Church Services Directory, call 501-376-4791, ext. 5153.

Across Arkansas

www.arkansasbaptist.org

Church life North Pulaski Baptist Association is hosting introduction and training sessions at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 11 for women interested in serving in the Christian Women’s Job Corps of Central Arkansas this fall. For reservations, call 501812-6999 or email carla@northpulaskibaptist.com. Berea Baptist Church, Jacksonville, will host a concert by The Representative Quartet at 3 p.m. Sept. 20. For more information, visit bbcjax.net. First Baptist Church, Salem, will hold a women’s conference beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 11. Tammy Fletcher will serve as speaker. Lunch and child care will be provided. Central Baptist Church, Bald Knob, will sponsor the Fishers of Men retreat Aug. 15-17 at Norfork River Resort in Norfork. Chris McDaniel will lead the group in devotion and worship. The retreat is open to men age 16 and older. For more information about the retreat or to register, contact Jamie McAnelly at 501-680-4738 or jamiem@ weaverbailey.com. Calvary Baptist Church, Monticello, recently participated in a southeast Arkansas mission project, which was lead by Gary Carter, pastor of Calvary Baptist. This was the second year for the event, with several Baptist churches in the area involved. Calvary Baptist Church was host to the children by providing meals and a place to stay. Bartholomew Baptist Association promoted the event and provided a shower trailer for the students. A praise and worship service was held nightly. Adults and children participated in door-to-door witnessing. There were 11 salvations. Seven houses in the area were chosen as maintenance projects. Next summer’s project is already in the planning stages. Williams Baptist College has set its schedule for fall classes to be held at Bradford High School. Classes will begin Aug. 25. Registration will be held Monday, Aug. 11, starting at 6 p.m. at the high school. Ouachita Baptist University will offer the “Survey of the Bible”

course at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock this fall. The course will be held on Tuesday nights, Sept. 2-Dec. 2, for 3 hours of transferable transcript credit. The class is open to all interested parties, including high school juniors and seniors. To sign up, call 501-4553474. The course will be taught by Doug Nielsen, of Geyer Springs First Baptist.

Milestones Cedar Glades Baptist Church, near Mountain Pine, celebrated its 137th anniversary July 20. Special recognition was given to longtime members. Longtime members included Warren Campbell (33 years), Sue Stillwell (43 years), Josephine Huff (49 years), Linda Scott (50 years), and Donna Campbell (54 years). Terry Coleman is serving as interim pastor. Palestine Baptist Church, Quitman, celebrated its 153rd anniversary homecoming July 27. Mike Martin, of Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, was guest speaker at the morning service. The Mercy River Boys provided music following a potluck dinner. Palestine Baptist Church, Quitman, celebrated the 100th birthday of Ocheil Todd, its oldest living member, July 4. He was also presented a deacon emeritus plaque for serving as an active deacon for most of his 75-plus years as a member of the church.

WELLSPRING –About 200 people attended the annual Wellspring event July 25-26 at First Baptist Church, Sherwood. The event is a women’s missions celebration hosted by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention missions team and Arkansas Woman’s Missionary Union. Speakers included Christian author and speaker Chandra Peele, former International Mission Board journeymen Drew and Christina Smith and ABSC urban church planter Willie Jacobs. The Arkansas WMU annual meeting was also held in conjunction with the event. Photo by Caleb Yarbrough

DR IN MONETTE – Disaster relief team members from Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, work to clear debris resulting from recent high winds in Monette.

On the move Russell Rhodes will begin serving as pastor at First Baptist Church, Warren, Aug. 10, coming there from First Baptist Church, Center Ridge.

See You at the Pole date set STUDENTS FROM across Arkansas will gather at school flagpoles Sept. 24 for the annual See You at the Pole (SYATP) event. SYATP is a “global day of student prayer,” according to the event’s website, syatp.com.

PRAISEWORKS – Almost 400 students representing 42 churches took part in PraiseWorks, a worship arts camp for students who have completed grades seven through 12. Fifty-one students affirmed a call into vocational ministry, and several students accepted Christ as Savior. “God did incredible things at PraiseWorks 2014,” said Larry Grayson, Arkansas Baptist State Convention evangelism and church health team member. “Every year, I hear leaders, worship pastors (and) student ministers say, ‘How did I not know about this camp?’There is an intensity to this camp, created by the students, that sets it apart like no other camp I have ever been to. Don’t get me wrong – it is incredibly fun, but we come to this camp knowing that God is going to change our lives and knowing that we will experience some of the most incredible worship of our lives! Students leave refocused and with an understanding of how to be more authentic worshippers and how to lead more authentic worship in their home churches.”

Arkansas

August 7, 2014

Union Grove touches Clarksville area for 140 years CLARKSVILLE – As the county seat of Johnson County, Clarksville has been the center of commerce and community life for tens of thousands of Arkansas residents over the years. Since 1874, the Clarksville area has been home for another thing: congregants of Union Grove Baptist Church seeking to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Organized the third Sunday in May of that year, Union Grove first met in Brown School House and was a member of the Dardanelle Baptist Association, both of which no longer exist. Four years later the church would buy one-fourth interest in the Brown School House for $50. “They paid $42.60 down, owing them $7.40,” a brief history of Union Grove Baptist Church recounts. Later, Union Grove would leave the Dardanelle association to join the Russellville Baptist Association. Today, the church is a member of Clear Creek Baptist Association based out of Ozark because of location and the geography lines drawn by the association. Most Dardanelle and Russellville Southern Baptist churches are now members of the Arkansas River Valley Baptist Association because of that geography. After meeting at Brown School House for a number of years, Union Grove started using Shady Grove Church (a Presbyterian church) for

its services in 1883. Shortly afterward, a movement was started to build their own building. By 1908, property was secured and construction began, but a storm destroyed the unfinished building. “(It) was a crushing blow to this congregation, however, it didn’t seem to keep them down, because in 1910 the building was re-built,” reads the church history. Fast-forward some 40-plus years to when Union Grove dedicated a new building on Sept. 9, 1956. The program for that day included an opening prayer by Jess Kolb, who was the only pastor the church had ordained up until that time, a reading of the history of the church by then pastor Floyd Painton, a song by The Blackard Quartet and a dedication sermon by S.A. Wiles, the local associational missionary. It was recorded as a great day by all attending. That same year the church paid for its building in full on Dec. 23. Another 58 years later – on July 27 of this year – the church gathered together once again, this time to celebrate the church’s 140th anniversary during a special commemorative service around the theme To God Be The Glory. Union Grove’s pastor of 34 years, Burnett King, presided during the service, which featured speaker Lynn Riley, of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and special music by Ralph Brody Jr., Vanessa Ostendorf and Randy

Lynn Riley (left), of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, presents Pastor Burnett King with a certificate recognizing Union Grove Baptist Church, Clarksville, for its 140th anniversary. and Angela Jones. Stories were recounted about the many trials the church experienced over the years – such as the loss of its building – but many more stories were shared about the triumphs for Jesus Christ. “That’s what we are here for today,” reads a special handout made available to those attending the service on that special day, “for without God’s help and the people’s faith we wouldn’t be here.” While many have come and gone from its pews since 1874, Union Grove continues to thrive and seek ways to impact its community. This

past year the church voted to start a bus outreach ministry. In less than two months following the vote, a bus was picked up in Texas and paid for in full. “There have been so many people give of their time, their money and have brought things for the church there is not time here to mention them all,” states the church history, “but God knows the things you have done and He doesn’t forget.” Read more information about Union Grove Baptist Church and view a photo gallery of the 140th anniversary celebration service at arkansasbaptist.org/uniongrove140th.

ABSC offers ‘Your Church and Money’ seminars THE ARKANSAS Baptist State Convention (ABSC) will offer free Your Church and Money seminars around the state of Arkansas during the months of August and September. William Jaques Jr., team member of the ABSC evangelism and church health team, will lead the seminars. These seminars will cover a variety of topics designed to help participants understand all aspects of the church and its finances. There will be a special emphasis on the

current requirements for IRS compliance and charitable giving laws for churches. Other topics that will be covered include payroll reporting requirements, special tax rules for ministers, basics for budgeting and ministerial staff compensation. Another aspect of this seminar will include training on how to cultivate

generosity in one’s church by promoting the importance of stewardship. The goal is to provide participants with resources and guidance so that their churches can properly use the tithes and offerings to glorify God. All minister, church e mp l oye e s , ch u rch treasurers, financial secretar-

ies and financial committees are invited to attend the seminars. For additional information, email Donna Couch at dcouch@absc.org. Preregistration is required for the event. Contact information is needed in order to notify participants if a seminar is cancelled due to low registration. To register and to view the list of seminar dates and locations, visit www.absc.org/guidestone. This event is a made possible by gifts to the Cooperative Program.

www.arkansasbaptist.org

Baptist Life

Bonus Content Prayer urged for Iraq’s Kurds as militants attack 24

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – As tens of thousands of Yazidi Kurds flee Islamic militants in northern Iraq, IMB workers in the region are joining Yazidi immigrants in the United States in a desperate plea for international aid and prayer amid the developing humanitarian crisis. On Aug. 3, Sunni extremists known as the Islamic State or ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) seized the city of Sinjar in Iraqi Kurdistan, near the country’s border with Syria. Sinjar is the home of Iraq’s Yazidi people, a “minority among minorities,” International Mission Board’s David Edwards,* who has spent the past 14 years working among Kurds, said. Though ethnically Kurdish, Yazidis are not Muslim like the majority of their Kurdish brethren, Edwards said. Instead, Yazidis follow an ancient religion rooted in Zoroastrianism that ISIS equates with “devil worship,” making the Yazidis a prime target along with Christians, Shia Muslims and any other belief system outside the militants’ ultraconservative brand of Islam. ISIS’s ultimatum is simple: convert or die. Terrified by the brutal violence directed at Christians when ISIS captured Mosul in June, Sinjar’s Yazidis quickly emptied the city early Sunday morning as Kurdish security forces, reportedly low on ammunition, retreated. Many residents left everything behind. Thousands of Yazidis without transportation escaped into nearby mountains, including as many as 25,000 children according to UNICEF. It’s a situation John Harper* said he shudders to think about. “They are going to be encounter-

August 7, 2014

ing hell,” said Harper, the former IMB worker, who has extensive experience in Kurdistan. Sinjar’s desertlike mountains have little vegetation and no water. Daytime temperatures can top 120 degrees. “Even if you’re sitting in the shade with some wind, it would be like sitting in front of an oven with a fan,” he said. Harper’s Kurdish contacts say at least 50 Yazidis already have died from exposure, including children. He fears many more stranded in the mountains may perish within the next few days without immediate humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Yazidis who could not leave Sinjar remain locked in their homes, at the mercy of ISIS. The situation is so dire that more than 300 Yazidi Kurds in Lincoln, Neb., rallied at the state’s capitol building Aug. 3-4 to raise awareness about the crisis. Lincoln is the home to one of the world’s largest Yazidi populations outside Kurdistan, and residents such as Gulie (pronounced Julie) Khalaff remain desperate for something – anything – to be done. Khalaff, 28, was born in Syria, but her parents are from Sinjar. Much of her extended family still resides there. Khalaff said nearly everyone in Lincoln’s Yezidi community has family or friends in Sinjar or nearby villages, but few know what’s happened to them. She held back tears as she spoke. She said she’s scared and hasn’t slept much since ISIS overran the city. Yezidis in Lincoln closely monitor Facebook, cell phones and the news, waiting for word from Sinjar, she added. Some information has trickled in: They’ve heard reports that ISIS is ordering

women to be circumcised and wear burkas. Others have been raped or forced to marry ISIS soldiers. Though the capitol rallies made the local news in Lincoln, Khalaff isn’t sure what difference they’ve made. She said she hopes Americans will write their congressman and/ or congresswoman to ask the U.S. government to take action. “Why should anyone pay attention to our story?” Khalaff asked, considering all the other trouble in the world. “But I can’t just sit at home. ... I have to try.” Jenn Worley, a member of Community Harvest Baptist Church in Lincoln, Neb., has shared Christ’s love with the city’s Yazidi community for more than a decade. The 27-year-old teacher leads a Bible study at her home for high schoolaged Yazidi girls. She was invited, along with Community Harvest’s pastor, Mark Jones, to help support

the Yazidis at Sunday’s statehouse rally. Afterward, Worley and Jones visited several Yazidi homes to offer comfort, encouragement and prayer. Some of families’ hopelessness was heartbreaking, she said. Worley recalled talking with one Yazidi man convinced he would never see his family again. “They’re dead,” he told her. “Even if they’re alive it’s only because they are still breathing. It’s only a matter of time. ... They’re stuck in the mountains without food.” “We told him the government can only do so much, but God has no limits,” Worley said. “God can change the heart of ISIS, God can perform a miracle and give your family food on the mountain, He can strengthen them so even if they don’t have food they’ll live. God can do anything.” *Name changed.

Year-to-date CP contributions behind budget projection NASHVILLE (BP) – Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee have exceeded $153 million dollars according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page. The $153,914,489.52 received by the Executive Committee for ten months of the fiscal year, October 1 through July 31, for distribution through the SBC’s Cooperative Program Allocation Budget represents 96.45 percent of the $159,583,333.33 year-to-date budgeted CP projections to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America. The year-to-date total includes money received by the Executive Committee by the close of the last business day of July. July’s total includes gifts from 39 of the SBC’s 42 cooperating state Baptist conventions as well as contributions from churches and individuals for distribution according to the 2013-14

SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. Month-to-month swings reflect a number of factors, including the timing of when the state conventions forward the national portion of Cooperative Program contributions to the Executive Committee, the day of the month churches forward their CP contributions to their state conventions, the number of Sundays in a given month, and the percentage of CP contributions forwarded to the SBC by the state conventions after shared ministry expenses are deducted. The total is $2,350,374.53, or 1.50 percent, less than the $156,264,864.05 received through the end of July 2013, and is 3.55 percent less than the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget projec-

tion for the current year. Designated giving of $184,465,103.22 for the same year-to-date period is 0.22 percent, or $397,480.46, above the $184,067,622.76 received at this point last year. This total includes only those gifts received and distributed by the Executive Committee through close of business on July 31 and does not reflect designated gifts contributed directly to SBC entities. Designated contributions include the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, Southern Baptist Global Hunger Relief and other special gifts. July’s CP allocation receipts for SBC work totaled $12,616,043.92.

Designated gifts received last month amounted to $11,091,581.85. The adopted SBC allocation budget projection for 2013-2014 is $191,500,000, an increase of 1.86 percent over the $188 million budgeted goal for the previous year, and is distributed as follows: 50.41 percent to support more than 4,800 overseas personnel with the IMB, 22.79 percent to help fuel North American evangelism and church planting through NAMB, 22.16 percent to help underwrite low-cost ministerial preparation and theological education through six SBC seminaries, 2.99 percent to the SBC operating budget and 1.65 percent to promote biblical morality and religious freedom through the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. CP allocation budget receipts received by the Executive Committee are reported monthly to the executives of the entities of the convention, to the state convention offices, to the state Baptist papers and are posted online at www.cpmissions.net/CPReports.